Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians) Share this | Hansard source

As you would all know, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety handed down its substantive interim report on 31 October 2019. At this point in time, I would particularly like to pay tribute to Commissioner Richard Tracey, whose work the report predominantly was. Tragically, he passed away recently after a very, very short period of time with a very aggressive cancer. The report is largely his work, and I would acknowledge the work that he did on the report, because it is a significant one and important for Australia's older Australians.

Establishing the royal commission was one of the Prime Minister's first decisions as the new leader of the government. As the PM said at the time, we had to brace ourselves for some difficult stories arising from the royal commission, and clearly that has occurred. The interim report of the royal commission has put us all on notice: it has put governments on notice, it has put providers on notice and it has put the community on notice. We must all learn from the stories that are in the report. We must confront them honestly— (Time expired)